Troddenvale "A Darker Shade of Damson" Cider-Plum Blend, Virginia 2022

FROM DISCO LIQUIDS:

THE CIDER: Over the past three vintages we have tinkered with this approach to whole cluster Chambourcin. While red wines certainly feel the farthest from our apple-centric wheelhouse, we have been encouraged by how much this wine truly fits in with our production. It has a lot of what we look for; freshness, aromatics, it’s quaffable, and challenges the consumer to think a little. In what is the highest percentage of Chambourcin in this blend to date, we transition this wine from an occasional special edition to a new label of its own. This year’s bottling is vibrant, snappy, hosting candied fruit with subtle licorice and rose in the nose. Give this bottle a little time to open as its bouquet will evolve. Although a smaller percentage of Damson was elected, its presence aromatically and as a natural “dosage” of sorts still presents itself as an integral part of the wine.

THE PRODUCER: In their own words: “Troddenvale roughly translates to the ‘valley road’ and is inspired by a lengthy history of visitors traveling to the cradle of Virginia’s Warm Springs Valley. Translated through our cider, we strive to preserve this valley’s treasured history, its spring water, forgotten orchards, and furthermore, we seek an opportunity for new stories to be told - of the land, the soil, and the people. We are focused on revitalizing fruit growing for cider production in our mountain region of Virginia. We believe that dedicating our efforts to where fruit is grown and how will lead us to achieve the greatest potential in our cider.”

In their efforts to support the broader region, they glean a lot of fruit from old abandoned orchards and seedlings on the perimeters of properties. However, they also consistently buy fruit from growers in the area, working with them to improve their agricultural practices even if the farmers are resistant to organic/regenerative agriculture. Will and Cornelia planted a home vineyard (pictured above) to many varieties and are farming it according to regenerative principles. They have also started a food share (basically a farmer’s market) that’s transforming the region’s agriculture; their chicken farming neighbors now sell the majority of their chickens to customers in Western VA.